Acne is a common skin disease that includes pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, large papules, and may result to scarring. The most common areas of the skin affected by acne are the face, back, and upper chest. The most common period for acne to occur is during the adolescent years, and in some cases, continues until adulthood. During the adolescent years, both males and females have an increased amount of testosterone which causes acne.

Causes

Acne is caused by many factors. It develops whenever there are blockages in the follicles, the part of the skin that produces hair, and where the sebaceous glands are attached. The sebaceous glands are responsible for secreting oily or waxy matter known as sebum that lubricates the skin and hair.

For both genders, puberty and women’s menstrual cycles are hormonal activities that are known to cause acne. Androgen are male sex hormones that make the skin produce more sebum. Other hormones such as testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and dihydrotestosterone are also linked to the causes of acne. It can also be caused by genetic factors. If you have relatives that have acne, you are most likely to have it as well.

Psychological causes can also be linked to acne. If a person is under too much stress, the National Institutes of Health in the USA state that stress can cause an acne flare. When a person is stressed, he or she tends to eat more unhealthy foods, usually those that are greasy, which contributes to the causes of acne. Certain tests prove that a person’s diet can affect the severity of acne.

Treatment

Back acne is much more of a problem than facial acne. This is because the back has larger sebaceous glands so it produces more sebum. Also, the skin on the back is much thicker than that of the face, making treatment and prevention more CHALLENGING. Depending on the severity, back acne can be treated and be prevented from recurring, provided that you consult your physician and dermatologist for proper medication and treatment.

For light to moderate cases of back acne, proper use of cleansers and topical solutions with 10 percent alpha hydroxy acid work best. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to use mild cleansers to avoid further complications. For moderate to severe cases, buying acne creams or cleansers with alpha hydroxy acid and benzoyl peroxide will work best. Remember that the effects of using different treatment products will vary, depending on your skin type. It is also best that you consult a dermatologist if you are not sure about which products to use. More importantly, you should be disciplined enough and follow the doctor’s instructions for your treating your back acne, particularly the frequency of application for the medications and the duration of the whole treatment.

Whether you choose to buy over the counter creams and solutions, or consult a dermatologist, it is best that you follow instructions and practice a healthy diet to obtain the desired results of clearing and preventing back acne.

Michael Gutierrez has been able to find a back acne treatment after years of suffering from acne. Join him in his quest to help as many people share the same freedom from acne that he enjoys.